Click here for photos of Tiger Tracks -
a 10th AD book published circa 1944 (before the division deployed to Europe)

This July, the 10th Armored Division celebrates
its 50th Anniversary. The "Tigers" formed part of our rapidly expanding
Armored Force in the early days of World War II, and played a crucial role in the defeat
of Nazi Germany.

On 15 July 1942, the 10th Armored Division activated at Fort
Benning, Georgia; the 2nd Armored Division provided equipment and training areas for the
new division. Officers from the 3rd and 11th Cavalry Regiments joined the original
division cadre. Soon, men and equipment from across the United States arrived, and
the new unit took shape. The transition from civilian to soldier went quickly.
MG Paul Newgarden, the 10th's commander explained: "If we are to be
successful, we must work like hell, play like hell, and fight like hell." The 10th
did just that.

Rugged
training filled the first year as soldiers went through "Tiger Camp."
After forced marches, endurance tests, night problems, dry runs, and firing problems, the
10th bloomed with "espirit de corps," and maneuvers in Tennessee demonstrated
its prowess. Early in September 1943, the 10th relocated to Camp Gordon,
Georgia. That fall, the 10th reorganized on a battalion basis. The hard
training continued, but at the same time, the "Tiger" Special Service Office
organized soldier shows, dances, concerts, and a full range of athletic events.

Early on the
morning of 15 July 1944, the 10th was saddened by the loss of MG Newgarden in a plane
crash. MG William H.H. Morris, Jr. assumed command and stressed continued excellence
in battle training. Then on 31 August 1944, the 10th entrained for Camp Shanks, New
York, a port of embarkation just up the Hudson River from New York City. For two
weeks, the "Tigers" made final preparation for overseas deployments.

On 13
September 1944, the division sailed from New York Harbor to an unknown destination.
Unfortunately, the U.S.S. Alexander, with most of the men, ran aground in the Brooklyn
Narrows, within sight of the city's skyline. A squadron of hastily-assembled
ferryboats spent a day transferring the soldiers to the S.S. Brazil, a converted luxury
liner. With a destroyer escort, Brazil set out to catch up to the convoy.
After avoiding a fall hurricane, the Brazil joined the other ships on 16 September.
Two days later, U-boats attacked and torpedoed a tanker in the convoy. Despite
this, the 10th arrived at Cherborg, France, on 23 September 1944, and was the first
American armored division to disembark on French soil directly from America.

Immediately,
the 10th was assigned to MG Walton Walker's XX Corps, part of LTG George Patton's Third
Army. The "Tigers" spent a month receiving new equipment and training in
the Normandy countryside. On 2 November 1944, the division received its baptism
under fire at Mars La Tours, France. Later that month, the "Tigers"
participated in the XX Corps capture of Metz. This action saw the construction of a
190-foot Bailey Bridge, the largest in the European Theatre of Operations. It was
the first time in 1500 years that the ancient fortress at Metz fell. After fierce
fighting, the 10th pierced the vaunted "Siegfried Line" and led the Third Army
into Germany on 19 November 1944.

On 17
December 1944, the attack east came to an abrupt halt. In the north, the Germans had
launched their Ardennes Offensive. The 10th was the first division to rush north
against "the Bulge." Combat Command A moved 75 miles in a single day,
directly into the attack. The 10th assumed responsibility to protect Luxembourg and
the Third Army's right flank. Combat Command B was called to Bastogne by General
George S. Patton on 17 December 1944. At that time, the 101st Airborne Division was
resting and refitting in France; Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division was the
only combat unit defending Bastogne at the time. The Tigers held Bastogne against
eight German Divisions until the 101st hurriedly returned, and then provided the infantry
essential time to dig in before the city was completely encircled. Combat Command B
remained with the airborne the entire fight at Bastogne.

General Anthony McAuliffe praised the men of the
Tiger Division, noting that, "In my opinion, Combat Command B of the 10th Armored
Division never properly was credited with their important role in the Bastogne
battle."

For the first
time, combat commands of an armored division fought as part of two separate corps.
The "Tigers" distinguished themselves with heroic efforts, both on the southern
flank of "the Bulge" and at Bastogne.

In early
February 1944, the 10th reassembled at Metz and rejoined the XX Corps. For security
reasons, the "Tigers" stripped all identification from their vehicles and
removed their shoulder patches. The division had a brief rest. A large number
of "Tigers" were even able to visit Paris. Meanwhile, the division
received needed, experienced replacements. Most of these new men came from the
airborne and had recovered from combat wounds. They soon proved to be superb
fighters.

The 94th
Infantry Division had battered a hole in the Saar-Moselle Triangle. During the
evening of 19 February 1945, the 10th raced 75 miles and passed through the
infantry. At 0700 on the 20th, the "Tigers" attacked. In one day,
they smashed the vaunted German defenses, and after 48 hours, the division blitzed 85
miles, overrun the triangle, and reached the Saar River. Once the 94th had secured a
bridgehead, the "Tigers" crossed the Saar and pressed on to capture Trier and a
bridge across the Moselle River. The shocking loss of this heavily defended city
caused German defenses to collapse. Generals Eisenhower and Patton personally
visited the "Tigers" to congratulate them on this remarkable achievement.

Next, the
10th drove across the Palatinate. The hard-driving "Tigers" never allowed
the enemy to reorganize his defenses. Skillful maneuver and exploitation into his
rear forced repeated defeats on the enemy. In one week, the 10th advanced 100 miles
and captured 8,000 prisoners from 26 different enemy divisions. This advance cut off
the escape route of 50,000 Germans.

After a
four-day respite, the 10th spearheaded General Alexander Patch's Seventh Army drive to
Bavaria. The division raced through Kaiserslautern, crossed the Rhine River on 28
March 1945, and continued east. With rapid night movements, the "Tigers"
continually surprised the Germans by appearing in different sectors. German
dispatches referred to the 10th as the "Ghost Division." The division
helped to seize Heilbronn, defended the Crailsheim Salient, and moved south to isolate
Stuttgart. On 23 April 1945, the 10th crossed the Danube River. Then on 27
April 1945, it lead the Seventh Army into Austria. By the conclusion of hostilities on 9
May 1945, the "Tigers" had reached Mittenwald, Bavaria, where they halted, their
mission accomplished.

The 10th
occupied southern Bavaria until September 1945. On 3 October 1945, the division
sailed from Marseilles, France. It arrived at New Port News, Virginia, on 13 October
1945 and was deactivated at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia on 15 October 1945. The
"Tigers" had captured 650 towns and cities along with 56,000 German
prisoners. Above all, the 10th played key roles in several of the war's greatest
battles, including Combat Command B's gallant defense of Bastogne. Years after the
war, General Anthony McAuliffe praised the men of the Tiger Division, noting that,
"In my opinion, Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division never properly was
credited with their important role in the Bastogne battle."

The oversight has been
righted. The division's proud history remains alive today with the 10th Armored
Division Veterans Association.

This unit history was researched and prepared by Captain John Buckheit during his
temporary assignment to Armor Magazine in the summer of 1990 from unit histories,
including COL Lester Nichols' Impact.